Hurricanes defensive line counting on depth, competition to help it improve

Miami Hurricanes football coach Al Golden had his first press conference of the 2014 season on Tuesday. Here, he speaks about receivers Herb Waters and Phillip Dorsett, quarterback Ryan Williams, running back Duke Johnson and more.

Miami Hurricanes football coach Al Golden had his first press conference of the 2014 season on Tuesday. Here, he speaks about receivers Herb Waters and Phillip Dorsett, quarterback Ryan Williams, running back Duke Johnson and more.

The senior defensive end knows that the Hurricanes defensive line didn't always produce the way it wanted. There were improvements from 2012, yes, but the numbers still weren't always pretty.

Miami finished 89th in total defense with opponents averaging 426.4 yards. The Hurricanes were 77th in rushing defense giving up an average of 176.5 yards on the ground per game. And though they more than doubled their sack total going from 13 in 2012 to 29 in 2013, the Hurricanes want to do better.

Though it's only two days into camp, they think this group can finally be the one that turns the corner.

"Our defensive line had a great summer. We worked really hard, hard as we've worked since I've been here," said Chickillo, who was among team leaders with 3.5 sacks last season. "I'm really excited about the new guys. They've been awesome. They want to learn. They picked up on things quick and I'm excited to see them out here…we've got a lot of old guys. We just have to teach those young guys how to do it. It's at our pace. How hard we go is how they're going to go, so we have to bring it."

Chickillo isn't the only one that sees promise in this defensive line.

Miami coach Al Golden praised the unit's strength earlier this week saying seven members of the defensive front bench pressed 225 pounds more than 30 times. And defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio highlighted the addition of players like incoming freshman Chad Thomas and junior college transfers Michael Wyche and Calvin Heurtelou who have given Miami the kind of depth it hasn't had since he and Golden have been in Coral Gables.

"We're in a pretty good situation as far as depth goes," D'Onofrio said. "I think on the bank end and on the D-line, I think this is the best depth we've had."

Through the first two days, the Hurricanes have used Chickillo, Ufomba Kamalu, Jelani Hamilton and Thomas at one end spot with Kamalu also getting reps at the other end with Olsen Pierre, Anthony Moten and Corey King. Inside, Miami is going with Earl Moore, Heurtelou, Wyche and Courtel Jenkins.

Like the coaches, the players say the depth and competition is exactly what Miami needs.

"We've got a lot of competition. We've got depth," said the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Heurtelou. "We've got four guys competing for that starting job right now. We're just out here trying to have fun, we're out here every day helping each other out. At the end of the day, we all want to start, but we're all trying to get better."

Though there's depth, there's still plenty of learning and conditioning work going on early in camp.

Wyche, widely considered one of the jewels of Miami's recruiting class, has spent plenty of time through the first two days with Miami's training staff trying to shed weight.

It's a process Heurtelou said he went through during spring practice, so he understands the frustration Wyche may be experiencing. So he's tried to provide encouragement.

And so far, Wyche—listed on Miami's roster at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds—is working to take advantage of the opportunity he's been given.

"You pray for times like this. I'm happy I'm in this situation. I appreciate it every day," he said. "I'm more about actions than words. Two gap and stopping the run is big for us, that's mainly what we focus on."